The President and the First Lady met with Lithuanians from the East Coast in the headquarters of the Lithuanian Alliance of America, the oldest Lithuanian emigre organization in the United States. At the headquarters, they visited an exhibition of expatriate artists and discussed issues of interest related to Lithuanian life in America.
“The Lithuanian American community is one of the oldest and strongest in the world. Your love, devotion to Homeland, and community spirit fostered the Lithuanian identity throughout the dark years of occupation. Thank you for fighting for the freedom of Lithuania. Now let us build one Lithuania together,” the President said.
At the Consulate General of Lithuania in New York, the President presented state decorations for merits to Lithuania to Professor Rimas Vaičaitis for his scientific achievements and promotion of Lithuania at Columbia University, and to David Alan Harris, Chief Executive Director of the American Jewish Committee, for longstanding support extended to Lithuania and the other Baltic States by the Committee under his leadership.
The Lithuanian Alliance of America, based in New York, is the oldest Lithuanian American organization founded by Lithuanian emigrees – mostly priests, doctors and lawyers – in 1886. Jonas Basanavičius and Jonas Šliūpas were among its members. President Antanas Smetona visited the Association in inter-war years.
